Your opinion on new leadership at EABC

On September 8, 2009 at Kigali Serena Hotel, members of the business community in East Africa chose Mr Faustin Kananura Mbundu, the Vice President of Rwanda Private Sector Federation as the new Chairman of East African Business Council. Mr Mbundu succeeds Mr Reginald Mengi who will still serve on the EABC Executive Committee as the immediate Past Chairman.

He will be assisted by:
•Mr Gerald Ssendaula, Vice Chairman, Uganda,
•Ms Esther Mkwizu, Vice Chairperson, Tanzania,
•Mr Keli Kiilu, Vice Chairman, Kenya, and
•Mr Hermenegilde Ndikumasabo, Vice Chairman, Burundi.

Other Members of the EABC Executive Committee include:
From Burundi
•Mr Ntisigana Antoine, Vice President of Burundi Freight Forwarders Association;
•Ms Consolata Ndayishimiye, Director of Burundi Women’s Association;
From Rwanda
•Mr John Bosco Rusagara, President of Rwanda Association of Freight Forwarders;
•Mr Emmanuel Hategeka, Secretary General, Rwanda Private Sector Federation;
Mr Rajendran Ranganathan, Managing Director of Utexrwa S.A.
From Uganda
•Ms Olive Kigongo, President of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce & Industry;
•Mr Kaddu Kiberu, Chairman of Uganda Manufacturers Association;
•Mr Jim Kabeho, Director of Madhvani Group of Companies;
From Kenya
•Mr Patrick E. O Obath, Chairman of Federation of Kenya Employers;
•Mr Gerald Muli, General Manager of General Motors East Africa Limited;
•Mr Vimal Shah, Director of Bidco East Africa Ltd;
From Tanzania
•Ms Mwamvita Makamba, Head of Corporate Affairs at Vodacom Tanzania,
•Mr Harpreet Duggal, Secretary General of East Africa Cement Producers Association;
•Mr Felix Mosha, Chairman, Confederation of Tanzania Industries;
•Mr Reginald Mengi, Past Chairman;
From EABC Secretariat
•Mr Charles Mbogori, the Executive Director of East African Business Council.

The new leadership is charged with the task of leading the business community at a time when a full-fledged East African Customs Union that will allow free movement of goods is due for implementation on January 1, 2010. What is your opinion on the new leadership at EABC?